Dunlop Flatwounds...

[fivestringgecko]

Wow! Came here to learn about Dunlop Flats and got way more than I expected.

Right? lol

Anyway...

I have a habit of bouncing between rounds and flats on my P bass... I have rounds on and then get the itch to try flats again, then decide I want the zingyness of rounds, and back again... I've had both Chromes and Precision flats on/off twice, and a brief trial of Labella flats on a friend's bass. It's currently got a set of plenty dead rounds on it, so I've been getting the itch to put flats back on again.

I was debating between Dunlop and Cobalts, and I think I'm going to try a set of the Dunlops because of the descriptions people have been posting here. (Well, aside from that strange derail early in the thread... lol) Also, thanks to @UHUglue for the video, too bad the 2nd isn't there anymore!

They're a bit more expensive, but I've got some Backstage Points at Musicians Friend, so they'll pretty much be a gimme. It does sound like the Cobalts would be a good choice too, so maybe I'll try those the next time the cycle repeats...? lol

5sg.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Got a set of these Dunlop flats in and installed for the weekend, and am pretty happy with the choice so far.

Initial thoughts:
After only about a couple hours of play time, these are definitely the most comfortable flats I've played to date. They feel nice and slick like flats should, and while they're not quite at the level of rounds in regards to feel, I'm pretty happy with the tension. I definitely don't feel like I'm playing tree trunks, like I remember the Chromes feeling. They were fairly supple coming out of the package, and they definitely feel nice on the bass. I was a little surprised at how bright they are, but it's a really good sound. There's a bit of a sizzly top end (in a good way) that I wasn't expecting that gives them a nice character... almost a bit roundwound-esque... but dialing down the tone knob starts getting into that thumpy territory. I wouldn't be disappointed if they don't lose that sound, but it will be interesting to see how much they mellow with some break-in time.

My current reference sound for my P Bass is the well worn in (aka deader than dead) Dunlop Super Bright nickels. Audio sample included in the group below.

And like everyone said... those black silks look nice.

5sg.

 

[uwrossl]

Got a set of these Dunlop flats in and installed for the weekend, and am pretty happy with the choice so far.

Initial thoughts:
After only about a couple hours of play time, these are definitely the most comfortable flats I've played to date. They feel nice and slick like flats should, and while they're not quite at the level of rounds in regards to feel, I'm pretty happy with the tension. I definitely don't feel like I'm playing tree trunks, like I remember the Chromes feeling. They were fairly supple coming out of the package, and they definitely feel nice on the bass. I was a little surprised at how bright they are, but it's a really good sound. There's a bit of a sizzly top end (in a good way) that I wasn't expecting that gives them a nice character... almost a bit roundwound-esque... but dialing down the tone knob starts getting into that thumpy territory. I wouldn't be disappointed if they don't lose that sound, but it will be interesting to see how much they mellow with some break-in time.

My current reference sound for my P Bass is the well worn in (aka deader than dead) Dunlop Super Bright nickels. Audio sample included in the group below.

And like everyone said... those black silks look nice.

5sg.

View attachment 3927851

Dunlops straddle the modern/traditional line for flats exceptionally well. The sizzle on top will settle in nicely but not to the point where you completely loose it and you'll start to get a little more traditional thump out of them. For me they just sit in a sweet spot that gives you the best of both worlds and creates a very versatile string. Enjoy em!

 

[JRT64]

I have the Dunlop flats on both of my Hofner basses now,(and Ignition and a HCT), and I really like them.

 

[Brad Easley]

I commented once before, but it was pretty generically positive. Figured I could at least add some value to my comment. Dunlops flats have a feel that is approximately between the usual bridge cables (Chromes, Roto 77s, & most of the major brand flats) and the ultra flexible (TI flats). It appears to me that there is a little wiggle room between the windings that give them a bit more suppleness and put them in a goldilocks zone of finger bounce. Their tone settles in nicely from initial brightness to a balanced thump-punch that doesn't lack for mid-range and retains enough upper-mid/high to still cut in a band setting. To me, they are the ultimate flat for a situation where you need still need versatility but gotta have the tone of flats. My bass arsenal consists of three Pbasses, and I always keep Dunlop flats on at least one of them. Currently, I've got them on the P with the hottest pickup sitch (old school Dimarzios neck H + P), as the pickups adds a bit of kick to the tone of the flats.

Need some extra subjective nonsense tone descriptors? Here's a snack recipe that will blow your mind. Make a slice of toast. Spread creamy peanut butter across the top. Dizzle with honey and sriracha (yes, the rooster chili sauce). Sweet, spicy, salty, creamy, crunch; a flavor/texture full house. That's the tone of Dunlop flats on my franken Pbass with Dimarzios. It's not my go-to bass, but there isn't a gig it couldn't handle.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I agree that they are slightly brighter than Labella.

 

[JRT64]

I would.

I use the 40-100 medium gauge of Dunlops on my Hofner basses and they work great. The neck on my Ignition loves them.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

changing your Dunlops about 2 to 3 times per week

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

 

[fivestringgecko]

Not quite a zombie thread yet I think, but revisiting as I finally got some audio recorded of these Dunlop flats after being (well) broken in... only to find Talkbass had gone on hiatus! lol Good to see Talkbass is functional again.

After having Dunlop flats on my P bass for about 7 months now, I'm still really enjoying these flats on my Pbass. They still feel quite good, but as you'll hear in the audio samples, they're pretty broken in. Aside from a couple diversions here or there, my Precision has been my go-to bass for since I put these on. I've had a lot of personal practice time on them and a couple rehearsals as things slowly get started again.

Something about these flats on this bass is vibing with me quite a bit.

I like @Brad Easley's description of the Goldilocks Zone above... I haven't had the pleasure of trying Thomastiks (yet?), but these are definitely the nicest feeling flats I've played so far. They've mellowed quite nicely from new ("just right"), but still sound great and are pretty versatile. They don't have the zing of rounds of course, but I don't really feel like these have the "wet blanket over your sound" that I've gotten with other flats. I don't really feel like I couldn't use them in a variety of situations, and the rehearsals I've had this P bass to have been for a cover band that covers 80's to modern pop.

Dial the tone down at about half with some light drive for some really nice warmth, or add a little bit more drive with tone on full for a great pick sound. As Brad mentioned, they don't really seem to have lost the mids that help you get heard in a band situation.

Here are some samples of the broken in flats... original new string audio samples above.

Gauge: 45/125
2009 Fender MIA Precision Bass V
Recording path: Bass > Stomp (with some minor compression) > Cubase LE

Fingerstyle and palm mute samples have audio with the tone knob at 100% > 50% > 0%.
Pick sample has tone knob at 100%
(no drive in any samples, just the clean sound)

5sg.

 

[JimmyM]

They sound great, and so does your playing. They'll go more dead than that, but it only serves to make them more awesome.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Thank you, sir!

You think they'll get even more broken in, after 7 months of pretty regular play time? I'm really digging where they're at now, so hopefully not TOO much more broken in. Guess we'll see! I was >this< close to switching this Precision back to rounds for my current main band, but I have a couple other basses that work really well (and have a pretty good P bass sound), so they'll stay on for a while yet. There's something about a P with flats....

5sg.

 

[JimmyM]

Thank you, sir!

You think they'll get even more broken in, after 7 months of pretty regular play time? I'm really digging where they're at now, so hopefully not TOO much more broken in. Guess we'll see! I was >this< close to switching this Precision back to rounds for my current main band, but I have a couple other basses that work really well (and have a pretty good P bass sound), so they'll stay on for a while yet. There's something about a P with flats....

5sg.

Well there may be a point I pushed my strings past because I always coated them down with Eucerin cream once I put them on, so the windings are all gunked up But if you did yours the natural way, they should probably be good to go for quite a while.

 

[Lobstermen23]

Dunlops are fantastic. Just feel luxurious under the fingers. I've played all three sets 40-100, 45-105, and 50-110 and all are excellent. The heavy set is very flexible and a great choice for anyone curious about the Jamerson gauges but don't want the high tension and stiffness. 40-100 is my favorite of the three and gets the closest to a "slightly stiffer TI" out of any other sets I've tested. FWIW TI's and Dunlops are my top two choices for flats. Both are sublime with slightly different characteristics. TI's have a unique midrange character that's unmatched.

Would you say there's a difference in tone between the 45-105 and 50-110 set? Also how would you compare the tension of the 50-110 set to chromes or rotosound 77s ( if you've tried those).

 

[ribalta]

Not quite a zombie thread yet I think, but revisiting as I finally got some audio recorded of these Dunlop flats after being (well) broken in... only to find Talkbass had gone on hiatus! lol Good to see Talkbass is functional again.

After having Dunlop flats on my P bass for about 7 months now, I'm still really enjoying these flats on my Pbass. They still feel quite good, but as you'll hear in the audio samples, they're pretty broken in. Aside from a couple diversions here or there, my Precision has been my go-to bass for since I put these on. I've had a lot of personal practice time on them and a couple rehearsals as things slowly get started again.

Something about these flats on this bass is vibing with me quite a bit.

I like @Brad Easley's description of the Goldilocks Zone above... I haven't had the pleasure of trying Thomastiks (yet?), but these are definitely the nicest feeling flats I've played so far. They've mellowed quite nicely from new ("just right"), but still sound great and are pretty versatile. They don't have the zing of rounds of course, but I don't really feel like these have the "wet blanket over your sound" that I've gotten with other flats. I don't really feel like I couldn't use them in a variety of situations, and the rehearsals I've had this P bass to have been for a cover band that covers 80's to modern pop.

Dial the tone down at about half with some light drive for some really nice warmth, or add a little bit more drive with tone on full for a great pick sound. As Brad mentioned, they don't really seem to have lost the mids that help you get heard in a band situation.

Here are some samples of the broken in flats... original new string audio samples above.

Gauge: 45/125
2009 Fender MIA Precision Bass V
Recording path: Bass > Stomp (with some minor compression) > Cubase LE

Fingerstyle and palm mute samples have audio with the tone knob at 100% > 50% > 0%.
Pick sample has tone knob at 100%
(no drive in any samples, just the clean sound)

5sg.

Thanks for sending all the audios! I am going to try them

 

[J-Mags]

Would you say there's a difference in tone between the 45-105 and 50-110 set? Also how would you compare the tension of the 50-110 set to chromes or rotosound 77s ( if you've tried those).

I've not tried the 50-110, but moving from 40-100 to 45-105 went as follows. They sounded exactly the same new, while giving me some of the tension I expect from flats, but not too much. Broken in, the low E started to get a bit boomier than lighter strings were. They still sound good, but the string-to-string balance of the broken-in strings was marginally better on the lighter set. At any given gauge, the Dunlops are have slightly less tension than Chromes.

 

[Brad Easley]

Following up again. I've actually got Dunlop flats on all 3 of my basses now (all P bass style). My number 1 gigging bass is a Lakland Skyline 55-64 (5 string P bass), and I'm now running the 45-125 set on it. Love em! Great balanced feel, sounds exactly how I want my tone to sound! On my Skyline 44-64 (4 string P bass), I've actually got the 50 set D & G and the 45 set E & A, so the set is 50-70-85-105. I found out Michael League was running that mix and wanted to try it. What I've found is the feel is a tad bit unbalanced with slightly higher tension on the top strings, but what it does achieve is more umph in a band setting on those top strings that can kind of disappear in a loud setting. I'm not recommending anyone do that, it's certainly not cost effective, but it was an interesting experiment and I will be leaving it that way for now. Again, my primary bass has the 45-125 set (same as the 45-105 set) and that would be my recommendation for anyone else unless you just really prefer the heft of a 50-110 set.

To Lobstermen23's question above, I used to use Rotosound 77 for a number of years and have tried Chromes as well. The Dunlops are noticeable lower tension. I think someone said something like this above, the Dunlops feel about like a gauge lower. So the 50-110 set feels closer to a 45 set in 77/Chromes. But even that doesn't quite do it justice, because the Dunlops have a bit more give in all gauges where the 77/Chromes just always felt like playing a solid steel rod to me. The Dunlops have just the right amount of "bounce".

 

[Phaidrus]

Following up again. I've actually got Dunlop flats on all 3 of my basses now (all P bass style). My number 1 gigging bass is a Lakland Skyline 55-64 (5 string P bass), and I'm now running the 45-125 set on it. Love em! Great balanced feel, sounds exactly how I want my tone to sound! On my Skyline 44-64 (4 string P bass), I've actually got the 50 set D & G and the 45 set E & A, so the set is 50-70-85-105. I found out Michael League was running that mix and wanted to try it. What I've found is the feel is a tad bit unbalanced with slightly higher tension on the top strings, but what it does achieve is more umph in a band setting on those top strings that can kind of disappear in a loud setting. I'm not recommending anyone do that, it's certainly not cost effective, but it was an interesting experiment and I will be leaving it that way for now. Again, my primary bass has the 45-125 set (same as the 45-105 set) and that would be my recommendation for anyone else unless you just really prefer the heft of a 50-110 set.

To Lobstermen23's question above, I used to use Rotosound 77 for a number of years and have tried Chromes as well. The Dunlops are noticeable lower tension. I think someone said something like this above, the Dunlops feel about like a gauge lower. So the 50-110 set feels closer to a 45 set in 77/Chromes. But even that doesn't quite do it justice, because the Dunlops have a bit more give in all gauges where the 77/Chromes just always felt like playing a solid steel rod to me. The Dunlops have just the right amount of "bounce".

Interesting! That's exactly what I plan doing. Currently 45-105 Dunlop flats on my Pbass and thinking of going 50-70-85-105 for fatter D and G tones. But I'm worried about a possible imbalanced feel tension-wise, as you mention. Why not go 50-110 all the way? Fat and balanced. Any downsides compared to the 50-70-85-105 set?

 

[michael_t]

Why not go 50-110 all the way? Fat and balanced.

If you want a true "balanced tension" set, you would need 50-65-85-110. But unfortunately, that would mean needing two sets to make one.

 

[Phaidrus]

If you want a true "balanced tension" set, you would need 50-65-85-110. But unfortunately, that would mean needing two sets to make one.

Well, I already have the 45105 set on the bass.

But seriously, I suppose there's two kinds of balance that unfortunately don't coincide: tonal balance and tension balance. And then everything in between.

Tonally balanced would probably be a 50-70-85-105 set but it wouldn't be balanced in terms of tension as the D and G would have much more tension than the E and A, resulting in more unevenness than what is already inherent in a standard 45-65-85-105 set or in a heavy 50-70-90-110 set.

The 50-65-85-110 is probably quite a balanced option tension-wise, as you correctly propose, but I suspect that the A and D strings will sound somewhat thin compared to the E and G. Mostly balanced tension-wise would probably be a 45-65-90-110 set but that would of course exacerbate the tonal imbalance.

I'm about to order the 50110 set and try the 50-70-85-105 combination or just use it as it is (50-70-90-110) - in which case the 90A and 110E may be a bit too much and/or the relative tonal imbalance between the four strings will be the same as in the standard 45105 set. Of course, D'Addario and Ernie Ball do sell 50-70-85-105 sets that presumably work well. Mind boggling...

 

[michael_t]

I'm about to order the 50110 set and try the 50-70-85-105 combination or just use it as it is (50-70-90-110). But perhaps the 90A and 110E will be a bit too much and/or the relative tonal imbalance between the four strings will be the same as in the standard 45105 set. Mind boggling...

Just imagine all the fun you can have mix and matching different gauges between the two sets. There are a few different combinations you can try and report back as to how they compare.